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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Matthew Dresch

'I bought glasses and a falafel - I didn't buy any nuclear weapons' says Jihadi Jack

The Muslim convert dubbed Jihadi Jack has admitted he feels guilty after his parents were convicted of funding terrorism by sending him money in Syria.

Jack Letts said he is desperate to be reunited with his parents, who he has not seen since he travelled to the war-torn country in 2014 from his Oxford home when he was just a teenager.

The couple's conviction at the Old Bailey on Friday "doesn't really make much sense", Letts told Sky News in an interview from the prison in northern Syria where he is being held by Kurdish authorities accused of being a member of Islamic State.

John Letts and Sally Lane were convicted of sending money to their extremist son (PA)

He insisted British people are "my people" and added: "I've no intention of blowing them up, that's probably important."

Organic farmer John Letts, 58, and former Oxfam fundraising officer Sally Lane, 57, walked free from court after being given suspended sentences.

The Old Bailey heard they ignored repeated warnings their son had joined Islamic State in Syria and sent - or tried to send - a total of £1,723 for him despite being told by police three times not to.

They were found guilty of one charge of funding terrorism in September 2015, but cleared of the same charge in December 2015.

The former Oxford schoolboy said he used the money for basic necessities (Sky News)

A third charge relating to an attempt to send money in January 2016 was ordered to lie on file after jurors could not agree.

In a statement following their trial the parents maintained they did "what any parent would do if they thought that their child's life was in danger".

Jack Letts told Sky News: "I feel guilty for what I've put them through.

"It's two 60-year-old atheists being convicted for Islamic terrorism, it doesn't really make much sense.

Jack Letts, known as Jihadi Jack, said he would love to return to Britain (Internet Unknown)
He said his parents sent him cash to get out of Syria (Sky News)

"They didn't do anything wrong. They sent me money to leave [Syria]. It's not like they were funding some sort of terrorist activity.

"They only sent me $300 - I bought glasses and maybe falafel... I didn't buy any nuclear weapons.

"I really want to see them more than I've ever wanted to see them in my whole life."

The couple have told how the situation and their three-year court ordeal has had devastating consequences on their lives.

In an interview with the Mail on Sunday, Lane said her life is now "in ruins" while John Letts said the conviction "destroys me".

The trial heard that the pair refused to believe their 18-year-old son had become an extremist when they allowed him to travel, and following the verdicts they said they remain "committed to help Jack return home".

On Friday, Jihadi Jack's parents were convicted of sending £223 to him in September 2015, although they found not guilty of sending £1,000 in December 2015.

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